Container



Feb. 18, 1941.

H. F. WATERS .GNTAINER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1958 Feb. 18,1941. H. F. WATERS 2,232,088

CONTAINER Filed Jan. 18, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l BY 4ATT NEY.

Patented Feb. 18, 1941 ist ' UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE Harry F.Waters, New York, N. Y.

,Application January 1s, 193s, serial No. 185,503

` 6` Claims.

l My invention relates to containers and. more particularly, tocontainers made of paper, cardboard and the like. l i l l It is anobject of my invention to provide containers of vthe class describedabove which may be simply and economicallymanufactured, which shallpossess all of the advantages and desirable features of containersheretofore available but which shall not be subject to the disadvantages10 necessarily inherent in such containers.

A known type of container of the above class comprises a cylindricalbody with a separate disclike bottom closure which must be 4inserted andfastened in position. The formation of the cylindrical body and thefitting of the closure thereto is a relatively complicated and expensiveprocedurewhich must be completed at the point of manufacture. This isparticularly truewhen the container is to be made liquid-tight. In thelat ter case, the closure mustibe carefully fitted and interlocked withthe body and the interior and/or exterior must then be coated .withsuitable ma' terial for rendering the same resistant tothe contents forwhich it is intended and `to prevent leakage at the point of closure. v

Containers of the known type just discussed must be completed at thepoint of manufacture and must be shipped to the user in completed form.Such containers are exceedingly bulky and fragile and the shipment andstorage thereof are expensive and wasteful matters. In order to reducethe cost of shipment and storage of empty, completed containers, theyare frequently made in such shape that they may be nested To this end,the body portions are frequently made in frusto-conical form. Thenesting of such containers is an operation whichadds to their cost and,while a considerable reduction in space occupancy is eiected, they arestill fragile and must be carefully packed in special cases or sleeves.

Another'known form of container is formed from a circular blank upondies of appropriate shape. 'Ihe excess stock in the blank is formed intoplaits and a lip `must be rolled or otherwise formed along the open endof the container. Such containers `are customarily made from waximpregnated stock and the wax mustbe softened by application of heatduring the dieing process. As the formed containers are allowed to cool,the wax hardens` and servesto hold the containers in shape.l Containersof `this Itype are exceedingly wasteful of stock since a relativelylarge portion of the blank is formed into plaits. These containers arevery fragile and must necessarily be delivered to the user in completedform. The

problems of shipping and storage of these containers are substantiallythe same as discussed in the preceding paragraph.

It is, therefore, a more particular object of my 4invention to providecontainers of the class de- 5 lined therein that a self-supporting,hollow contalner of predetermined configuration may be l5 formedtherefrom solely by the operation of folding the envelope along thelines defined therein.

It is a. further object of my invention to provide a container suitablefor the packaging of liquids, semi-liquids, oils or greases, which may20 be shipped to the lling point in the form of a fiat envelope havingfold lines so defined therein that a self-supporting, hollow containerof predetermined conilguration may be formed therefrom solely by theoperation of folding the en- 25 velope along the lines dened therein.

Other and further objects of my invention will become appar .-nt from aconsideration of the following description taken in connection with thedrawings accompanying and forming a part of 30 this specification.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a container constructed accordingto my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a completed blank from 35 which the containershown in Fig. 1 may be constructed;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a fiau envelope, formed from the blankshown in Fig. 2, illustrating the form in which my improved containermay be shipped and stored;

Fig. 4 is a bottom perspective view of my container in a partiallyerected condition;

Fig. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic illustration of the positions assumedby various portions of my container when fully erected;

Fig. 6 is a. bottom perspective viewof a modified form of containerconstructed according to my invention; 50

Fig. l is a plan view of a blank from which the container shown in Fig.6 may be constructed;

Fig. 8 is a bottom perspective view of another modiiled form ofcontainer constructed according to my invention; and 55 Fig. 9 is a planView of a blank from which the container shown in Fig. 8 may beconstructed.

Referring now to the drawings in which similar reference charactersindicate similar parts 6 throughout the several views, there is shown inFig. 2 a blank I0 from which a cylindrical container fulfilling certainof the objects of my invention may be constructed. The blank I isrectangular in shape and its dimensions are chosen for the production ofa container of desired size.

The blank I0 is scored or otherwise conditioned for folding along theline II which extends transversely of the blank as seen in Fig. 2 anddivides the same into two homologous sections. Score lines I2 are formedadjacent to and preferably parallel to the edges I3. Adhesive materialI4 of any suitable type is applied to the blank in the area bounded bythe score lines I2 and the edges i3. The blank, as thus far described,may be folded along the line II to bring the edges I5 together. Theadhesive bearing margins I2, I3 are brought into `facewise contact andsecured together by the adhesive I4 and the seams I6 thus formed may befolded along the score lines I2 and secured in the position shown inFig. 3 by adhesive.

It will thus be seen that the blank I0, as thus far described, may beformed into a fiat envelope having a seamless bottom, seamed and sealedsides and an open top.

According to my invention, the Ablank Ill is scored, or otherwiseconditioned for folding, along lines so laid out that portions of thebody of an envelope formed therefrom may be folded in a predeterminedmanner to form a self-supporting cylindrical container. Preferably, thescoring operations necessary for this result are performedsimultaneously with formation of score lines II and I2 and the cuttingof the blank, although it is obvious that these operations could beperformed separately or that the scoring operations to be describedcould be performed after the blank I0 has been folded and sealed intothe form 45 of a fiat envelope.

According to my invention, the score lines indicated by referencenumerals I1 to 2li inclusive are provided in the blank I0 to define aself-supporting bottom formation. The score lines I1, I8 I and I9 definethe circular base of the container when set up while therlines 20, 2I,22 and 23 define ears of excess material which must be folded upon thebase, as shown in Fig. l. An important feature of my invention residesin the laying out of score lines I1 to 24 inclusive whereby the area ofthe material going into the bottom formation is greater than the area ofa circle corresponding to the cross section of the cylindrical body ofthe container. To this end, `the curved lines I'I are 50 developments,in a fiat plane, of the intersection, in space, of the cylindricalcontainer body and another body which may be' a cylinder whoselongitudinal axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the container bodyat right angles or which 65 may preferably be a sphere whose axiscoincides with longitudinal axis of the container body. In either event,the lines Il are spaced from the base line I I by a distance greaterthan the radius of the circular cross section of the container body. 70The curvature and spacing of the lines II will, therefore, cause thematerial bounded by these lines to assume a generally arched formationwhen the container is set up.

The score lines I8 and I9 are preferably laid 75 out as halves of thecurved line II and their loaasaoes A cations, relative to the base lineI8, are respectively similar to the locations of corresponding parts ofthe curved lines Il. The lines I8 and I9 will, therefore, cause thematerial bounded by these lines to assume a generally arched formationin the same manner as the lines I'I. The material bounded by the linesI8 and I9 is, however, formed into ears of excess material, as,indicated at 25 in Fig. 4. To this end, score lines 22 and 23 areformed as diagonals extending from the intersections of the line I1 withthe lines I8 and I9, to the intersections of the line II with the linesI2. The lines 22 and 23 may be straight, as shown, or they may beslightly curved if so desired. Score lines 20 and 2| extend from theintersections of the curved lines I1, I8 and I9 to the base line I I andintersect the base line at a point somewhat within the area bounded bythe lines I1. If so desired, additional score lines 26 and 21 may beprovided to further weaken the material in this general location. Theaction of score lines 20, 2I and 26, 21 (if the latter are provided)will be explained hereinafter.

Score lines 24 are formed in the marginal areas I2, I3 of the blank IIJ.These lines preferably have a curvature similar to that of lines I8 andI9 but are laid out in reverse relationship whereby they will coincidewith the lines I8 and I9 when the seams I6 are turned over, as shown inFig. 3.

A preferred manner of manufacture and use of the container disclosed inFigs. 1 to 5 inclusive will now be described.

The blank I0 is cut from suitable stock and is scored, as outlinedabove. For the packaging of dry materials, an adhesive of any desiredtype may be applied at I4. For the packaging of liquids or oils, thestock may be coated with a suitable flexible coating material, such as arubber hydrohalide or a suitably plasticized cellulosic material. If thecoating material chosen is thermoplastic, it may be utilized as theadhesive as by providing a sufficient thickness thereof at I4 Otherwise,a suitable oil or liquid-proof adhesive may be placed on the blankwithin the areas I4.

The blank I0 is then folded along the line II, sealed along the seams I6by pressure, or heat and pressure when a thermoplastic adhesive I4 isused, and the seams I6 are turned and adhered to the outside of theenvelope, as previously described. It is preferred to leave thoseportions of the seams I6 whichextend below the score lines 22 and 23unadhered to the body of the container in order to avoid interferencewith the formation of the ears 25. The container is at this time in theform of a at envelope, as shown in Fig. 3, and is complete insofar asmanufacturing operations are concerned.

The nat envelope, shown in Fig. 3, may be packed, shipped and storedwith no waste of space and without the necessity of special cartons orcareful handling.

When the container is to be put into use, it is set up by hand or bysuitable automatic machlnery by folding the envelope along the linesdefined therein. No sealing, bottoming or other manufacturing operationsare necessary for the conversion of the flat envelope into aself-supporting cylindrical container. To set the container up, it ismerely necessary to apply pressure in the vicinity of and in thedirections indicated by the arrows A and B in Fig. 3. Pressure at thepoints indicated by the arrows A will cause the envelope to open alongthe edges I5 and will cause' the body of the envelope to assume anovular CII aesaos conformation. Pressureatthe point indicated.4 by the`arrow B will cause-theenvelope .to unfold` aiongythe` creased line andto fold along-,the` lines I'I, 20, 2l, 22` and 23. `Continued 'pressure'at 1 B will cause the material bounded by lines l1 to overcenter with atoggle-like action and assume a curvature reversed from thatof the body.of the container. The material will fall into this reverse curvaturewith a distinct snap and will thereafter remain` in suchl condition withconsiderable rigidity..` The material will fold along lines 22 andf23toform theears 25. The container at this stage of the `erection process isshown in Fig. 4.

From an inspection of- Fig. 4, it may'be` observed that ythe materialbounded by lines 22,l I8 in theieft hand ear 25 and the material boundedby lines 23, I9 in theright hand earforms a continuationof thecylindrical surface of the container l,bodyf Application of pressure, asin.-

dicated bythe arrowsC in Fig.-4, will cause the ears to bend inwardlyalong thelines |8 and.|9,

and will force the `material bounded by lines I8, 22.y and |9,l 23 to`assume agcurvaturereversed from thatof the containerbody. `The ears 25e may thus be bent substantiallyinto the plane of the bottom ofthecontainer. Duringthe bendf ing ofthe ears 25 `the `reversal vofcurvaturewill occur,` with a distinct `snap and the ears will be self-sustainingin positionr` adjacent the bottom of the container.` Thematerial boundedby lines 22, 23 will double upon itself along the lines ZllandA 2|.Since this doubling extends through approximately 180, it may be oi'advantage to further `weaken the `materialby the provision of thecontainer along the axis paralleling the base` line f| Theinwardlyarched bottom formation caused by the llines `I1 rigldifiesthe containeralong the axis perpendicular to the base line The two transverselyintersecting arch formations -cause the bottom, as a whole, to assume agenerally. sphericalconformation. The'lines 20, 2| should, therefore,deiine as nearly aspossible the natural bend` line of this sphericalsurface. While the lines 28, 2| may be curved, as shown in Fig.' 2, areasonable approximation of their desired configuration may be made byforming them as straight lines.

The points of intersection of the curved lines I1, I8 and I9 define`feet and, in the particular container thus far described, these `feetwill be symmetrically disposed along the circumference of the containerbottom. The curved' lines I8 and I9 are so designedv that the ears 25will be held at right angles to a generatrix of the cylindricalcontainer body and the ears will thus be prevented from extending belowthe 'feet upon which the container is designed to rest.

InFig. 5, I have shown in diagrammaticform the disposition of variousfold lines of my container when completely set up.

It will be obvious that the various score lines may be varied as toposition and curvature in order to define fold lines necessary toproduce containers whose cross sections are other than circular. Thus,elliptical or ovular containers and containers having unsymmetricallyarranged feet may be designed within the scope of my invention, as thusfar described.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a container, embodying my invention, the lbodyo! whichis frustoconical.4 `Containers of this shape may be set up andnested ,for temporary storage purposes.

A blank, suitable for the formation of the container shown-inFig. 6, isshown in Fig. 7. The outline of the blank IIIJ, as defined by the edgesH3 and H5, is designed to form ,a frusta-conical body of anypredeterminri dimensions. Curved score lines ||8 and i9 are laid out inaccordance with the principles discussed above in connection with Fig. 2except for variations necessitated by the fact that the body of thecontainer is frusto-conical rather than cylindrical. The scorelinesvIII, II2, |20, |2I, |22, |23 and |24 are similarly laid out andadhesive is applied to themarginal areasbeyond the score lines I|2.

The blank may 'be folded along the base line and formed into a iiatsealed envelope in the same manner as discussed above in connection withFigs. 2 and 3. In this form, the

containers may be shipped to the point of use.`

The containers may'then be set up exactly as describedabove inconnection with Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5. From an inspection of Fig. 6, itmay be seen that a container constructed according to this form of myinvention is rigid and self-supporting for the same reasons as pointedout above in connection with Fig. 1.

In Fig. 8, I have shown another form` of con` tainer, embodying theprinciples of my invention while in Fig. 9, I have shown a blank fromwhich such a container may be formed. The body portion of the containershown in Fig. 8 is rectangular in cross-section and to this end theblank 2ID is provided with score lines 230 and 23| which deiine theangular corners of such a body. Score lines 2|2 define the marginaladhesive bearing areas for the formation of seams discussed above inconnection with Fig. 2. In this embodiment of my invention, the bottomformation of the container is'so defined by score lines as to cause thebottom to assume an inwardly arched formation for the purposes alreadydiscussed in connection with the modifications above described. Scorelines 2|1 are so laid out as to cause the material bounded thereby toassume an arched formation which extends transversely of the face of thecontainer. Lines 2|`| maybe curved. as shown, or may consist of brokenstraight lines generally following the formation of the curved linesshownin Fig. 9. Score lines 2I8 and 2I9 are laid out according to theprinciples already above set forth in connection with Fig. 2. In the-present form, -the lines 2I8 and 2| 9- may be straight lines disposedat an angle to the edges 2|3. Score lines 220, 22|,.222, 223 and 224 aresimilarly laid out.

The particular curvature or angular disposition of the lines 2I1, 2I8and 2I9 is not critical in this i'ornrofv my invention. A curvature isselected which will produce a satisfactory arching of the bottom withoutextreme deformation of the piane sides of the container body.

As in the forms previously described, the blank 2I0 is folded along theline 2I| and the marginal edges are sealed in face-wise contact. Theenvelope thus formed is in condition for shipment and storage. When itis desired to set the container up, the same is folded along score linesaccording to the principles outlined above. The

material bounded by the lines 2|'I will assume a curvature reversed withrespect to the dat faces of the container body and, in assuming suchcurvature, the material will overcenter and fall into position with adistinct snap. This action will result in rigidifying the containeralong a line normal to the base line 2H. The material bounded by thelines 2I8 and 2I9 will be formed into ears which will overcenter andsnap into Y the position illustrated in Fig. 8. In this respect,tnggtraightscore lines 2I8 and 2I8 serve substantially the same functionas the curved lines I 8 and I9 described in connection with Figs. 1 toinclusive. It will be understood that the container body will be foldedalong the lines 230 and 23| to give the same the desired rectangularcross-section.

While the above detailed description of desirable forms of my inventionhas been made in order to comply with the statutes, it is obvious thatmodifications and variations may be resorted to by those skilled in theart. Such description is therefore to be taken in an illustrative ratherthan in a limiting sense and it is my intention that the scope of myinvention shall be limited only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A container in flat form capable of being erected into hollowself-supporting formation, comprising a sheet of material folded uponitself and having the opposite edges of its opposed faces securedtogether to provide an open mouth, means defining fold lines in saidfaces upon which said container may be folded to form a hollowl body anda bottom integral therewith, certain of said lines being arched upwardlyinto the body portion of said container to force said bottom to assume aformation arched along intersecting axes and extending inwardly of saidhollow body when the container is erected.

2. As an article of manufacture, a container in fiat form, comprising; asheet of relatively stiff, resilient material folded upon itself andhaving the opposite edges of its opposed walls secured together toprovide an open mouth; score lines in said walls upon which said wallsmay be folded to form a container having 'a hollow body, a bottom lyingsubstantially in a plane normal to the axis of said body, and earsextending from said body beyond said bottom; additional score lines insaid Walls upon which said ears may be folded substantially into theplane of said bottom, said last named score lines defining theintersection of a generally cylindrical body with the body of saidcontainer whereby said ears will be self-sustaining in folded position.

3. As an article ofy manufacture, a container in flat form, comprising;a sheet of relatively stiff, resilient material folded upon itself andhaving the opposite edges of its opposed walls secured together toprovide an open mouth; score lines in said walls upon which said wallsmay be folded lto form a container having a bottom, a hollow body whosewalls rise substantially Vertically from the plane of said bottom, andears.

extending from said body beyond said bottom; additional score lines insaid walls upon which said@ ears may be folded substantially vinto theplane of said bottom, said last named score lines defining theintersection of a generally cylindrical body with the body of saidcontainer whereby said ears will be self-sustaining in folded position.

4. As an article of manufacture, a container in fiat form, comprising; asheet of relatively stiff, resilient material folded upon itself andhaving the opposite edges of its opposed walls secured together toprovide an open mouth; score lines in said walls upon which said wallsmay be folded to form a container having a bottom, a hollow body whosewalls flare upwardly and outwardly from the plane of said bottom, andears extending from said body beyond said bottom; additional score linesin said walls upon which said ears may be folded substantially into theplane of said bottom, said last named score lines deflning theintersection of a generallyl cylindrical body with the body of saidcontainer whereby said ears will be self-sustaining in-folded position,

5. As an article of manufacture, a container in fiat form, comprising; asheet of relatively stiff, resilient material folded upon itself andhaving the opposite edges of its opposed walls secured together toprovide an 'open mouth; score lines in said walls upon which said wallsmay be folded to form a container having a hollow body of polygonalcross section. a bottom lying substantially within a plane normal to thewalls of said body, and ears extending from said body beyond saidbottom; additional score' lines in said Walls upon which said ears maybe folded substantially into theplane of said bottom, said last namedscore lines defining the intersection of a generally cylindrical bodywith the body of said container whereby said ears will be selfsustainingin folded position.

6. A container in flat form capable of being erected into hollowself-supporting formation comprising a sheet of material folded uponitself along a line extending transversely of the central portionthereof and having the opposite edges of its opposed faces securedtogether to provide an open mouth, means whereby said container may befolded to form a hollow body and a bottom integral therewith, said meansincluding a series of score lines in said faces, all of said score linesbeing spaced from said fold line and each said score line being archedaway from said fold line.

HARRY F. WATERS.

